Washington's Farewell Speech: Since He Asked...

I recently read an abridged version of Washington's farewell speech, which dealt with only his views on political parties. I intended to look up the full address ( which was never a speech but was distributed to newspapers), but didn't get around to it until today.

And seein' how relevant it is to so many threads here recently I thought I'd do as the man asked here and point everybody at his parting words.

Here is a link to a nice "translation" of the address, that does a pretty good job of conveying the spirit without the weird writing style, and includes a link to the original text:

Yeah, that quote's from "Idiocracy." No, I don't think you were being disrespectful - it's just that re-imagining reminded me of that.

I liked the re-imagining. It had a lot of good points, such as how we need to be less divisive and be more willing to work together. But when it came to realpolitick, Washington was extremely naive politically.

Washington's administration had the benefits that our government was quite new, we were just starting, and the American people were still relatively united against enemies in Europe who targeted North America for imperialist ventures. But things have also changed quite a lot since then too, and we need to be pragmatic when it comes to our policies.

Re: Washington's Farewell Speech: Since He Asked...

Originally Posted by samsmart

Yeah, that quote's from "Idiocracy." No, I don't think you were being disrespectful - it's just that re-imagining reminded me of that.

I liked the re-imagining. It had a lot of good points, such as how we need to be less divisive and be more willing to work together. But when it came to realpolitick, Washington was extremely naive politically.

Washington's administration had the benefits that our government was quite new, we were just starting, and the American people were still relatively united against enemies in Europe who targeted North America for imperialist ventures. But things have also changed quite a lot since then too, and we need to be pragmatic when it comes to our policies.

Re: Washington's Farewell Speech: Since He Asked...

Originally Posted by samsmart

Yeah, that quote's from "Idiocracy." No, I don't think you were being disrespectful - it's just that re-imagining reminded me of that.

I liked the re-imagining. It had a lot of good points, such as how we need to be less divisive and be more willing to work together. But when it came to realpolitick, Washington was extremely naive politically.

Washington's administration had the benefits that our government was quite new, we were just starting, and the American people were still relatively united against enemies in Europe who targeted North America for imperialist ventures. But things have also changed quite a lot since then too, and we need to be pragmatic when it comes to our policies.

Cool. I was worried I blew the OP!

I had actually read, and re-read, and re-read the original address as is often necessary for me reading this period. The run on sentences (a personal vice), often leave me with a WTF? moment until I read a second time.

Then I stumbled on the link above and was delighted that I recognized each paragraph. Enough so that I didn't quite agree with the translation in a couple places.

Anyway, I was blown away by the accuracy of his warnings of the consequences of parties, alliances, etc., his foresight of our current divisiveness.

That parties by nature drive us apart

Drive us to start each position so far to one side that the middle can't buy it, just to have hope of a victory pulling the country a little bit more left or right.

Whipsawing us back and forth, with no one apparently looking for a true compromise outcome. One that realistically reflects the rational interests of all in the fairest way possible.

Seems pretty accurate.

I was really impressed with the whole limit your alliances/enmities because they can trap you in a box, and even provide an opening for deceivers to lead a nation astray.

It was really a little heavy for me, left me feeling like I was letting the guy down. Twanged my patriot nerve by LONG distance.

I do like the "Get over yourselves and figure out how to fix it and do it" message.

Re: Washington's Farewell Speech: Since He Asked...

thanks it was interesting, but is there an original?

Originally Posted by What if...?

I recently read an abridged version of Washington's farewell speech, which dealt with only his views on political parties. I intended to look up the full address ( which was never a speech but was distributed to newspapers), but didn't get around to it until today.

And seein' how relevant it is to so many threads here recently I thought I'd do as the man asked here and point everybody at his parting words.

Here is a link to a nice "translation" of the address, that does a pretty good job of conveying the spirit without the weird writing style, and includes a link to the original text: